The Dickeyville Grotto – Dickeyville, Wisconsin - Atlas Obscura
Places near me Random place

The Dickeyville Grotto

Dickeyville, Wisconsin

A tribute to the twin ideals of religion and patriotism, built by a Catholic priest from rocks, glass, and innumerable found items. 

View all photos
Tribute to Christopher Columbus, “Discoverer of America.” camp33710 (Atlas Obscura User)
So many details and so many colorful rocks of every different kind!
Tribute to Christopher Columbus, “Discoverer of America.” camp33710 (Atlas Obscura User)
592
666
Top Places in Wisconsin
The Forevertron by Doc Evermor.
Dr. Evermor's Forevertron
Sumpter, Wisconsin
Rhinestone Cowboy House at the JMK Arts Center
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Man Mound
Baraboo, Wisconsin
 See All

The Dickeyville Grotto and shrines erected in the village of Dickeyville, Wisconsin on the Holy Ghost Parish grounds are the works of Father Matthias Wernerus, a Catholic Priest, Pastor of the Parish from 1918 to 1931. His handiwork in stone, built from 1925-1930, is dedicated to the unity of two great American ideals - love of God and love of Country.

It is a creation in stone, mortar and bright colored objects-collected materials from all over the world constructed without the use of blueprints. They include colored glass, gems, antique heirlooms of pottery or porcelain, stalagmites and stalactites, sea shells, starfish, petrified sea urchins and fossils, and a variety of corals, amber glass, agate, quartz, ores, such as iron, copper and lead, fool’s gold, rock crystals, onyx, amethyst and coal, petrified wood and moss.

There are several shrines in the Grotto garden. Besides the main shrine (which houses the Grotto of the Blessed Virgin), there is a patriotic shrine, the sacramental shrine of the Holy Eucharist, the Sacred Heart shrine, Christ the King shrine, Fatima shrine, and the Stations of the Cross. These shrines are located in a beautiful floral garden area surrounding the Holy Ghost Church.

follies and grottoes outsider architecture sacred spaces
Nearby
Union Park
9.05 miles
The Mining & Rollo Jamison Museums
9.33 miles
Dubuque Shot Tower
9.47 miles
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
Near This Place
Stairs to the theater
Dubuque, Iowa

Union Park

The remains of a bustling turn-of-the-century park built to showcase the wonders of electricity.
Underground at The Mining & Rollo Jamison Museums.
Platteville, Wisconsin

The Mining & Rollo Jamison Museums

Explore a real 19th-century lead and zinc mine at this immersive series of exhibits.
Shot Tower
Dubuque, Iowa

Dubuque Shot Tower

This long unused shot tower on the Mississippi remains a point of pride for a small city in Iowa.
Fenelon Place Elevator
Dubuque, Iowa

Fenelon Place Elevator

For just a few bucks, this Iowa funicular will let you feel like an 1800s fat cat.
Related Places
Chiesetta di Piedigrotta.
Pizzo, Italy

Chiesetta di Piedigrotta (Church of Piedigrotta)

This church carved into the rocks is full of enchanting stone statues.
The church with its domed bell tower.
Blantyre, Malawi

Saint Michael and All Angels Church

This amateur-built East African church with mismatched towers is an architectural abnormality.
Città Ideale
Montegabbione (TR), Italy

La Scarzuola

This 16th-century monastery has been turned into a surrealist architecture compound.
Ocotillo, California

Anza Borrego Desert View Tower

This historic tower in the California desert promises visitors a "vortex of good vibes".
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

From Around the Web